Erase vs. Delete: What's the Difference?

Erase and Delete Definitions
Erase
To remove (something written, for example) by rubbing, wiping, or scraping.
Delete
To cancel, strike out, or make impossible to be perceived
Deleted the expletives from the transcript with a marker.
Erase
To remove (recorded material) from a magnetic tape or other storage medium
Erased a file from the hard drive.
Delete
To remove from a document or record
Deleted the names from the computer file.
Erase
To remove recorded material from (a magnetic tape or disk, for example)
Erased the DVD.
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Delete
To remove (a file, for example) from a hard drive or other storage medium.
Erase
To remove all traces of; eliminate or obliterate
Had to erase all thoughts of failure from his mind.
Delete
To remove, get rid of or erase, especially written or printed material, or data on a computer or other device.
Erase
(transitive) to remove markings or information
I erased that note because it was wrong.
Delete
To defeat or dominate.
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Erase
(transitive) To obliterate information from (a storage medium), such as to clear or (with magnetic storage) to demagnetize.
I'm going to erase this tape.
Delete
To kill or murder.
Erase
(transitive) To obliterate (information) from a storage medium, such as to clear or to overwrite.
I'm going to erase those files.
Delete
(computing) A deletion.
Erase
To remove a runner from the bases via a double play or pick off play
Jones was erased by a 6-4-3 double play.
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Delete
(recorded entertainment industry) A remainder of a music or video release.
Erase
(intransitive) To be erased have markings removed, have information removed, or be cleared of information.
The chalkboard erased easily.
The files will erase quickly.
Delete
(uncountable) Delete
Erase
(transitive) To disregard (a group, an orientation, etc.); to prevent from having an active role in society.
Delete
(computing) The delete character (U+007F or %7F).
Erase
To kill; assassinate.
Delete
To blot out; to erase; to expunge; to dele; to omit.
I have, therefore, . . . inserted eleven stanzas which do not appear in Sir Walter Scott's version, and have deleted eight.
Erase
(computing) The operation of deleting data.
Delete
Remove or make invisible;
Please delete my name from your list
Erase
To rub or scrape out, as letters or characters written, engraved, or painted; to efface; to expunge; to cross out; as, to erase a word or a name.
Delete
Wipe out magnetically recorded information
Erase
Fig.: To obliterate; to expunge; to blot out; - used of ideas in the mind or memory.
Delete
Cut or eliminate;
She edited the juiciest scenes
Erase
Remove from memory or existence;
The Turks erased the Armenians in 1915
Erase
Remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing;
Please erase the formula on the blackboard--it is wrong!
Erase
Wipe out magnetically recorded information